Syracuse is only a Slight Favorite Among Several Challengers

Published by Adam Schneider/DyeStatCollege.com Editor on August 30th, 2016

The biggest question for all of the top teams is whether they can find a fifth runner. Syracuse has built a team of athletes to run the 10,000m distance. Coach Chris Fox has quickly turned the Orangemen into a cross country powerhouse that has also been very successful on the track. There are so many questions about this top ten that this could be a very tight team race at the NCAA meet with a mad scramble for positions.

1.  Syracuse - Juniors Justin Knight (4th at 2015 NCAA XC) and Colin Bennie (8th) lead this year after the graduation of Martin Hehir (9th). Junior Philo Germano (39th) and senior Joel Hubbard (47th) also return.  Syracuse is looking from last year’s transfer Adam Palamar (13:59 5k) and this year’s transfers, senior Adam Visokay from Virginia and sophomore Iliass Aouani from Lamar. Visokay (222nd) and Aouani (185th) ran at the NCAA meet but will need to improve to help the Orange. Their first meet is the Harry Lang Invitational on September 3rd.

2. Oregon - Senior Edward Cheserek will attempt to be the first to win four NCAA cross country titles. Cheserek worked hard last year to work with his teammates to win a trophy and they were fourth. Most of their depth (#2 - #5 and #7) is back as junior Travis Neuman was 46th (he missed the track season due to injury), senior Jake Leingang was 50th, sophomore Tanner Anderson was 56th, and sophomore Matthew Maton was 85th. They all return as does #7 runner Ryan Gill, contributors in junior Blake Haney and Sam Prakel, and potential freshmen contributors Levi Thomet and Jackson Mestler. Neuman is a question mark after his injury. The Ducks open their season at the Bill Dillinger Invitational on September 16th. 

3. Northern Arizona - Until last year the Lumberjack had not missed on earning a trophy since 2011. 2016 10,000m list leader and NCAA runner-up senior Futsum Zeinasellasie was third at the 2014 NCAA cross country championships, senior Nathan Weitz was 118th (76th in 2013), and junior Andy Trouard. Junior Cory Glines and sophomores Tyler Day and Jeff Miller developed during the cross country season (8th at the Mountain regional) and sophomore Matthew Baxter developed during the track season. Glines, Day and Baxter all nearly qualified for the NCAA meet in the 10,000m. With the last season for coach Eric Heins and the first season for the former Georgetown coach Michael Smith this team will be inspired to succeed. The Lumberjacks open their season at home in the George Kyte Invitational on September 3rd

4. Iona - Even with health issues affecting them for much of last year they almost trophied with their fifth place finish. Juniors Gilbert Kirui (20th) and Chartt Miller (43rd) led the Gaels at the NCAA meet. They could win this year if teams slip. The Gaels start their season at the Maris Invitational on September 3rd

5. Stanford - Senior Sean McGorty took another step in his development on the track after finishing seventh at the NCAA cross championships. Sophomore Grant Fisher was 17th and the #2 freshman. Junior Garrett Sweatt was 69th last year as fellow juniors Sam Wharton (207th) and Jack Keelan (231st) did not run as well as in 2014 (39th and 100th respectively). It seems likely though that the pace this year will push harder than in 2014. There is a lot of talent on the roster and they will push each other. The Cardinal start their season at the USF Invitational

6. Georgetown - Junior Jonathan Green was fifth last year and led the Hoyas to a tenth place team finish. Senior Darren Fahy was 49th and with the addition of graduate transfer Michael Clevenger’s (from Notre Dame) 38th place finish they have a solid top three but they need stronger performances from #4 and #5 to be able to trophy. The Hoyas start their season with Harry Groves Spike Shoe Invitational on September 10th.

7. Arkansas -  The Razorbacks return two finishers (two of their top three) from the top 40, junior Jack Bruce (23rd) and senior Frankline Tonui (40th). They also have five of their top 7 with juniors Austen Dalquist (89th) and Alex George (176th) and senior Christian Heymsfield (170th) returning from the meet last year. Sophomore Andrew Ronoh ran 28:36.20 for 10,000m last year and should contribute among the top three for the Razorbacks. Arkansas’ first meet is the Cowboy Duals on September 1st.

8. Colorado - Senior Ben Saarel will likely be back to top ten form this year and with sophomore John Dressel (26th) they have a strong 1-2 punch. The Buffaloes will have to cobble a team from returnees including Joe Klecker, Zach Perrin, Ryan Forsyth, Ryan Peterman, and Paul Miller and from a talented group of recruits. This team will definitely require a wait and see approach. The Buffaloes begin the season at the Colorado State Invitational on September 2nd

9. Mississippi - Last year the talent was there for the Rebels. Injuries slowed them but they ran well outdoors. Senior MJ Erb was 39th in 2014 and junior Sean Tobin was 68th last year. Seniors Wes Gallagher, Robert Domanic and Craig Engels could have great cross country seasons. This team could trophy. The Rebels first meet is the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic on September 3rd.

10. Wisconsin - Coach Mick Byrne’s Badger team was bit by the injury bug last year but it is unlikely that will happen two years in a row. This team could trophy with so much depth. Senior Malachi Schrobilgen was 10th in 2014 and a group of juniors led by Morgan McDonald (75th in 2014) showed their potential in 2014. It will be interesting to see this group finally run again. The Badgers start their season at the Oz Memorial Invitational on September 9th

11. Eastern Kentucky - This year they are getting plenty of attention after finishing 17th last year without star steeplechaser junior Jakob Abrahamsson. With the return of the top four plus Abrahamsen this team will challenge for a trophy led by senior Jaime Escriche (37th in 2015). Eastern Kentucky’s first meet is the Eagle Opener on September 2nd.

12. Boise State - The Broncos return their very young team and 6 of the 7 runners (four finished in the top 120), minus 70th place Elijah Armstrong. They bring back the team’s one runner from 2014, sophomore Andrew Rafla (83rd). With developing runners on the roster (including redshirt freshman Miler Haller), and newcomer Yusuke Uchikoshi this team could finish in the top ten after finishing 16th last year. Their first meet is the Aggie invitational on September 3rd.

13. Furman - They return their top 7. In only their second year of making the NCAA meet they had mixed results. Three finished in the top 109 led by junior Aaron Templeton. This team could easily finish in the top ten. Forman will run at the Queen’s Twilight on September 2nd.

14. Washington - Junior Colby Gilbert had a stress fracture right before the cross country season started or he would have been well placed at the NCAA meet. After a strong track season he should have a great year. Behind him are three returning juniors (Andrew Gardner was the best at 96th). I expect coach Metcalfe will have the runners behind Gilbert push each other in a pack to maximize their talent. The Huskies start their season at the UW - Seattle U Open

15. Virginia - The Cavaliers return their top five and all but one (Thomas Madden) ran well on the track. Juniors Chase Wavering (55th) and Henry Wynne (59th) continued their development with good track seasons this last spring. No one else was within the top 150. The Cavaliers start their season at the UVA duals on September 1st.

16. BYU - Coach Ed Eyestone returns three of his top four but he always has more talent ready to run. The Cougars can never be counted out. Last year they finished 12th led by sophomore Dallin Farnsworth (74th last year) and junior Connor McMillan (84th). The first meet for the Cougars is the Autumn Classic on August 3rd.

17. Colorado State - The Rams return one of the best 1-2 punches in senior Jefferson Abbey (13th) and junior Jerrell Mock (19th) plus runners that redshirted last year and had run on their 19th place 2014 team. This team is flying under the radar. The Rams begin their season at the CSU Invitational on September 2nd.

18. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys had to rebuild their roster after last season but the team is led by junior Cerake Geberkidane, 125th in 2015. Adding JC all-Americans juniors Sylvester Barus (2nd at NJCAA XC) and Hassan Abdi (5th) will boost their chances at the NCAA championships this year. Oklahoma State’s first meet is the Cowboy Duals on September 1st. 

19. Iowa State - Coach Martin Smith has a major project on his hands but also a lot of talent. Sophomore Dan Curts ran at the 2014 NCAA meet and he is the only one with experience. Redshirt freshman Thomas Pollard recently won the US junior 10,000m title. Senior Kevyn Hoyos transferred from Syracuse and should provide knowledge and experience. This is also another fun team to watch this year. Iowa State’s first meet is the Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational on September 2nd.

20. Indiana - There is a lot of hope that a number of injured runners will have success. Seniors Matthew Schwartzer was 43rd and Jason Crist was 65th in  2014 and Carl Smith was 52nd in 2013. NXN runner-up Ben Veatch joins the group. This group could make the top 10 with any luck. The Hoosiers start their season at the Indiana Open and Alumni Meet on September 3rd.

Teams to watch

UTEP, Michigan, Oklahoma, NC State, Southern Utah, Portland, and Providence.